ST PAUL, Minn. — Court documents show celebrity chef Justin Sutherland has pleaded guilty to charges alleging he pulled a gun and threatened to shoot his girlfriend last June.
Sutherland signed a document in Ramsey County pleading guilty to one count of threats of violence - reckless disregard in the incident, which took place the evening of June 28. A criminal complaint issued against Sutherland says St. Paul police responded to an apartment building and were told by a woman who claimed to be Sutherland's girlfriend that he pointed a gun at her and then hit her in the chest with it, allegedly saying "don't come back here or I am going to shoot you."
Other allegations included in the complaint include:
- Sutherland and the victim began arguing because they were no longer going to a music festival; Sutherland was upset by racist neighbors and was taking out his frustration on the victim.
- The victim said Sutherland put his hands around her neck and said "I want you dead."
- The victim said when she ran from the house, Sutherland told her, "Don't come back here or I am going to shoot you." After he hit her with the gun, she put up her hands and said, "Don't shoot me."
- The victim said when Sutherland's friend arrived, he was able to get the gun away from him.
- In a follow-up interview, the victim told police Sutherland strangled her, broke her phone and threatened to kill her more than once.
- When police arrived to arrest Sutherland, he screamed "You should just f****** kill me," before surrendering while yelling racially derogatory remarks at the officer.
Documents say that by pleading guilty, the chef and reality television star will receive a 360-day suspended sentence, which he will have to serve should Sutherland violate the terms of the agreement. He will also serve two years probation, perform 100 hours of community service, undergo a chemical dependency evaluation, and not possess firearms, among other stipulations.
Justin Sutherland, a St. Paul native, competed on Season 16 of "Top Chef" and won Iron Chef America, where he went head-to-head with Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli. He has also served as co-host of TruTV's "Fast Foodies" with Kristen Kish and Jeremy Ford, started Big E on Grand Ave. and is chef at Northern Soul at MSP Airport.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and needs help, call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 to be connected with someone from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline includes more options for support and identifiers of abuse on its website.
For Minnesota residents, Cornerstone MN offers resources and safe housing for domestic abuse survivors and crime victims. Call 1-866-223-1111 or chat online with the crisis hotline.